The Iridium NEXT network should support symmetric data rates in the range of 64 kbps to 128 kbps per mobile terminal, with radio modem and antenna packages small enough to fit on smaller sub 50 kilogram size UAVs, such as Boeing’s Scan Eagle.

With a 10 Mbps Viasat link, now available through ViaSat-1, perhaps drones will become flying mobile eyes for search and rescue, foreign or domestic police agencies, and television stations. ViaSat-1 has the bandwidth to operate whole fleets of domestic UAVs.